Vol 3 Chapter 6 – The Red String of Fate (【The Exonerator of the Maritime Nation】Arc)

A towering building stood somewhere in the city center.

This was the hideout of a certain executive.

Within one of its rooms, a woman slumped on a sofa, her head hanging low.

Her name was Meido Arisu.

The maid uniform she wore was wrinkled, and exhaustion seeped from every inch of her presence.

“Haah…”

With a faint sigh, Meido placed her hand on her eyepatch-covered right eye.

Her gaze pierced the ceiling with the sharp intensity of a starving beast.

But within her eye lay a dark void of despair, unrelenting and suffocating.

The source of her torment was clear: her master.

“I haven’t heard from Master at all…”

It had been two days since Sakata Yuuto, her master, left for Hokkaido.

During this time, not a single message had come from him.

“Master… Am I so unimportant to you…?”

Meido shifted, pulling her knees to her chest as if seeking solace.

“Even though my every thought is consumed by you…”

Blood threatened to seep from beneath her eyepatch, a stark reminder of the strain she endured.

She pressed it gently, stifling the flow, and let out another sigh.

“I can’t take this anymore… Without Master, I’m… nothing.”

Her reason for serving Sakata was simple: obsession.

Before joining the organization, she had been saved by Sakata in a moment of utter despair.

Since then, Sakata had become her everything: her master, her savior, and the sole object of her affection.

“Maybe I should’ve gone to Hokkaido, no matter what…”

She muttered, glancing at the angry red marks on her wrist.

“But surely, if my love is true… Master will understand it, right?”

She wiped the blood from her wrist and gazed lovingly at the cutter blade now slick with her essence.

“I hope you come back soon… Master.”

Blood dripped again from her pinky finger, forming a delicate trail down her hand.

It looked like a red string, tying her fate to his.

A knock broke the silence.

“Who is it…?”

Her voice, sharp and cold, called out toward the door.

“It’s me, Hirata.”

The voice that came back was a familiar one, drenched in the irritation it brought her.

“Hirata…?”

Her lips curled into a grimace of confusion and disdain.

“May I come in?”

The words came with an air of hesitant politeness, so unlike the woman Meido knew.

“…Go ahead.”

Her response was curt, her tone laced with suspicion.

The door creaked open, revealing Hirata Shizuku, her loathed rival.

But something was different. Off.

“I decided to drop by for a visit!”

Hirata wasn’t wearing her usual black executive suit, the uniform of loyalty to their master.

Instead, she wore a casual blue dress.

“You’re wearing… casual clothes today?”

Meido murmured, her tone flat.

“Yup! Isn’t it good to change things up once in a while? Don’t you think this outfit is cute?”

Hirata’s bright smile grated against Meido’s nerves. She didn’t respond.

Hirata’s loyalty to their master was something Meido begrudgingly respected.

But now, seeing Hirata in casual clothes instead of her usual suit, it clawed at something inside her.

“So, what’s your reason for coming?”

“I told you—I’m just here to hang out.”

Meido’s exasperation leaked into her voice, but Hirata remained bright, unaffected.

“This isn’t a hangout spot. It’s my room.”

“Don’t be so uptight! That’s why you don’t have any subordinates, you know?”

Hirata’s casual remark struck a nerve.

Meido stood abruptly, gripping the cutter in her hand, its blade glinting in the dim light.

“So? Did you come all this way just to lecture me?”

“Not at all. I’m here because, as a fellow executive—and acting boss right now—I was worried about you.”

Hirata’s words were wrapped in a smile so cheerful it was almost mocking.

Meido’s grip on the cutter tightened.

“Worried? I don’t need your concern. The only one I trust is Master.”

Hirata sighed softly.

“Is that so…? To you, everyone but the boss is an enemy?”

Meido lowered the cutter slightly, her eyes narrowing.

“And if they are, so what?”

“No reason. I just find it a bit… tragic.”

“Tragic?”

Meido let out a dry laugh, sharp and hollow.

But Hirata’s expression didn’t falter as she continued.

“Yes. Master once told me he wished all the executives could get along. I just think it’s a shame you don’t feel the same.”

“How pointless… I don’t care about anyone but Master.”

Meido’s voice dripped with boredom, as if the conversation had already lost all meaning to her.

Hirata smiled, but there was something unsettling about it now. The usual cheer was gone, replaced by a strange intensity.

“Maybe so… But I’m interested in you, Meido.”

Her words sent a shiver down Meido’s spine.

(How revolting…)

Meido Arisu readied her cutter once more, the sharp blade gleaming ominously.

“I have nothing to say to you. I’ll kill you here and now.”

“Haa, so be it,” Hirata Shizuku replied with a resigned sigh.

She pulled out a karambit knife, its curved blade catching the dim light. The one-meter gap between them was charged with a suffocating tension.

Meido moved first.

She dashed at Hirata, closing the distance in an instant, slashing with her cutter. However, Hirata evaded the strike as though anticipating it and countered with a spinning kick.

“Ugh!!”

Meido managed to block the kick with her arm, but the force sent her flying across the room.

“Huh, I thought you’d go flying farther than that,” Hirata remarked with a twisted smile.

Unlike Hirata, whose face gleamed with amusement, Meido’s expression darkened.

“…”

The confidence drained from her features as she drew a long dagger from its sheath at her waist.

Hirata grinned wider at the sight.

“Fufu♪ Let’s begin round two,” she said, stepping closer with her karambit aimed at Meido.

Meido adjusted her stance, holding her dagger ready to intercept.

The moment Hirata closed the gap, their blades collided. A shrill metallic clang echoed through the room, sharp enough to pierce the tension.

“Tch!”

Meido clicked her tongue and swung her dagger sideways. Hirata backstepped, avoiding the strike and gaining distance.

With a casual whistle, Hirata exuded an air of mockery.

Meido, watching her rival’s nonchalance, slid her dagger back into its sheath.

“Haa… This is pointless.”

“It was fun for me, though!” Hirata replied with a beaming smile.

Meido glared at her, exasperated. Letting out a small sigh, she asked:

“So, what’s your real purpose for being here?”

“My purpose? I already told you—I’m just here to hang out!”

“You wouldn’t come to an executive’s hideout for no reason. Especially mine.”

Hirata laughed as if deflecting Meido’s piercing gaze. Then she spoke:

“You’ve got me all figured out, don’t you? Impressive as always!”

“Skip the flattery. Just tell me what you’re here for.”

“Geez, you’re so impatient. Can’t you let me enjoy this a little?”

“Get to the point.”

At Meido’s firm words, Hirata’s playful demeanor shifted. Her expression turned serious as she began speaking:

“…I actually have a favor to ask. Of course, you’re free to refuse. I won’t force you.”

“If it’s not worth hearing, I’ll ignore it entirely.”

“Now, that would be a problem. Just hear me out.”

With a shrug, Hirata handed Meido a small, sleek card.

It was pitch black, adorned with a red crown—the emblem of the Empress.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a card identifying you as an affiliate of the Empress. It’s still a prototype, but I thought I’d give it to you.”

Turning it over, Meido noticed what looked like a microchip embedded in the card. Though small, the craftsmanship was remarkable.

“And what am I supposed to do with this?”

Hirata smirked.

“This card functions like an unlimited black card. With it, you can access any resource under the organization’s influence—purchases, facilities, anything you need, free of charge!”

She explained with ease. Meido stared at the card, suspicion flickering in her eyes.

“It does sound useful… but what exactly do you want me to do with it?”

“Great question! Actually—” Hirata began, but before she could finish, Meido’s eyes widened.

“…I see. Fine. I’ll handle it immediately.”

“As expected of the organization’s maid! I’ll leave it to you, then!” Hirata chirped, exiting the hideout as quickly as she had arrived.

Left alone, Meido let out a weary sigh.

“I’m not the organization’s maid… I’m Master’s maid,” she muttered, her tone laced with disdain.

————————————————————

Guardians Headquarters

Seven Guardians had gathered in the main hall, the air thick with unease.

A girl, clearly in charge, was the first to speak.

“As you’re all aware… we’ve lost contact with Second.”

Her words made the heavy atmosphere even more oppressive.

“The last message from Second was at 9 PM. Since then, there’s been nothing.”

Routine check-ins were critical. With the Empress operating in Hokkaido, the Guardians had assigned Second to maintain contact twice daily—at 9 AM and 9 PM—to report her findings and confirm her safety.

But now, communication had ceased.

“The last message said, ‘Found a lead on the killer. Will continue investigation. Update tomorrow morning.’”

A woman in a lab coat raised her hand to speak.

“Princess, could Second have simply forgotten to report?”

“Not likely. That meticulous brat forgetting something? Impossible,” interjected a man with blond hair, a crew cut, and sunglasses—Third.

“Third is correct. There’s no one in the Guardians more diligent than her.”

“Which means…”

“There’s a high chance something has happened to her.”

The Guardians were forced to confront a grim possibility.

“If something happened, it could only mean she encountered the killer… or ran into the Empress herself.”

A bald man seated beside Third spoke.

“Second’s combat ability is high, but if the killer is backed by the Empress, even she wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“Should we go after her, then?” the Princess asked.

The bald man shook his head.

“I’ll go. Alone is enough.”

“Fourth, you’re one of our strongest fighters, but… are you sure?” the Princess asked, her concern evident.

Fourth gave a derisive snort.

“I’m fine, Princess. Besides, I’ve got this.”

He unsheathed his sword, showing it off confidently.

The Princess hesitated, then nodded.

“If you insist, I’ll leave it to you. Do your best.”

Her eyes shone with trust as Fourth prepared to leave. Before he could, the woman in the lab coat spoke up.

“Princess, there’s news from our spy within the Empress’s ranks.”

“Let’s hear it.”

Donning the communicator, the Princess’s voice softened.

“Yes, what is it?”

“Apologies for the abrupt report, Guardian-sama. But it seems the Empress has acquired a new ally.”

The words sent a ripple of shock through the Guardians.

“Explain,” the Princess commanded.

“Certainly,” the spy replied.

According to the spy, the Empress had recently taken in a mysterious woman during her operations in Hokkaido. This individual was significant enough to warrant protection from such a ruthless organization.

Perhaps she was even connected to the disappearance of Second.

“That’s all for now,” the spy concluded.

“Thank you. Keep us updated.”

“Understood. Your words are greatly appreciated.”

The line went silent, and the tension in the room reached its peak.

“As you heard, the Empress has likely gained a new asset.”

“Troublesome,” Third muttered, scratching his head.

“Fourth, given the increase in enemy strength, I’m ordering Fifth to accompany you.”

The Princess’s gaze fell on the woman in the lab coat, who smirked.

“My, my. Looks like it’s my turn.”

Fourth and Fifth bowed deeply, their loyalty evident.

“Understood, Princess.”